Cranite Systems & Rikei Partner with NTT Communications To Provide Secure WLAN Service in Japan


Cranite’s wireless security software featured as part of e-VLAN offering

SAN JOSE, CA — NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), a subsidiary of the world’s largest telecommunications provider, has selected software from Cranite Systems to secure a new wireless connectivity offering in Japan, Cranite announced today.

Cranite’s WirelessWall® software is part of a broader managed service offering from NTT Com, in its “VPN Series” of services for business customers in Japan. Since October, NTT Com has provided the Cranite wireless local area network (WLAN) security software to customers as part of the e-VLAN connectivity service. The e-VLAN service is a secure, turnkey wireless network, with a Japanese user interface client and an integrated seven-port switch, all secured by Cranite’s WirelessWall software. NTT Com manages the service for subscribers for a monthly fee.

Rikei, Cranite's reseller in the Japanese market, is bundling and integrating the hardware and software, and provides second tier product support, as needed.

“The e-VLAN offering from NTT Com validates our strategy to target small– and medium-sized businesses with a software solution to secure wireless networks,” said John Vigouroux, chairman and CEO, Cranite Systems, Inc. “We are confident that working with Rikei and NTT Com will provide great opportunities for penetrating this important market.”

WirelessWall enables enterprises to secure their wireless networks quickly and easily, giving employees secure access to critical data and network resources. In addition, the software meets the U.S. government's rigorous FIPS 140-2 security certification standard.

WirelessWall combines centralized management with scalable, enterprise-class intrusion prevention and security for all WLAN deployments, regardless of size. Because it operates at Layer 2, WirelessWall is able to encrypt all transmitted information-network addresses, applications, protocols and ports-as well as the data itself. This approach protects both the user's data and the organization's network, while enabling users to securely roam across sub-nets without needing to re-authenticate themselves or reboot their computers, saving time and minimizing frustration.

WirelessWall is based on an open, non-proprietary architecture that supports any mix of 802.11 a, b or g access points from any vendor. This hardware- and protocol-independent approach protects customers' existing and future infrastructure investments, helping reduce overall total cost of ownership.

In Japan, contact Rikei Corporation at ko.nagata@rikei.co.jp, visit http://www.rikei.co.jp, or call 81-3-3345-2141. More information about NTT Com's e-VLAN offerings can be found at http://www.ntt-vpn.com/e-vlan/service/opt_cpe.html.

About RIKEI CORPORATION
Rikei has been supplying the most advanced technologies and those products relating to computing systems and applications, high-speed networking solutions, electronic instrumentation and components, wireless and satellite systems, and other technology-based solutions and services to the Japanese market since 1957. Today, Rikei handles over 100 companies’ products worldwide. Rikei will continue to serve its customers and business partners to bring state-of-the-art systems and technology solutions to the market place. For more information, e-mail ko.nagata@rikei.co.jp, call 81-3-3345-2141, or visit http://www.rikei.co.jp/

About NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com)
NTT Communications is a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation (NYSE: NTT) – one of the world's largest telecommunications companies. NTT Com provides high-quality, technologically advanced network management, security and solution services to consumers, corporations and governments on a global basis, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Its world-class backbone network, combined with the networks of partner companies around the world, offers access to more than 200 countries. NTT Com Group has 34 companies in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Americas. The company has garnered several awards for its leading edge technologies, outstanding performance and customer service, including “Best Global Carrier – 2004.” For more information, please visit http://www.ntt.com